kohdattaessa

Kohdattaessa is a Finnish adverbial participle meaning “when encountering” or “upon encountering.” It is derived from the verb kohdata, which means “to meet” or “to encounter.” The form kohdattaessa is used to introduce a subordinate clause that states the circumstance under which the action in the main clause takes place. As a non-finite form, it has no explicit subject or finite tense; the subject is understood from context, often a generic “one” or “you.”

Formation and function: Kohdattaessa is created by attaching a form of the adverbial participle to the verb stem kohdata, yielding a clause that expresses time, condition, or circumstance. It belongs to the broader Finnish system of adverbial participles, which can link clauses in a concise, written style. The subordinate clause with kohdattaessa does not impose a separate subject; the action of both clauses is connected as part of the same situation.

Usage: The form is commonly found in written Finnish, including manuals, instructions, and formal prose, where a compact way of expressing conditions or circumstances is desired. It can convey time (when), condition (if), or general situational context for the main clause.

Examples:

- Kohdattaessa vaaroja on tärkeää pysyä rauhallisena. (When one encounters hazards, it is important to stay calm.)

- Kohdattaessa uusia tilanteita on tärkeää kuunnella ohjeita. (When one encounters new situations, it is important to listen to instructions.)

Notes: Kohdattaessa is more typical of formal or descriptive writing and may sound archaic or literary in casual speech.